Published 30 October 2026 · By Jatin Dua, Broker of Record, RE/MAX Quantum Realty
My top five schools in North Etobicoke are Humberwood Downs Junior Middle Academy (TDSB, JK to 8, inside the Humberwood Centre), Holy Child Catholic School (TCDSB, same shared building), North Albion CI (business SHSM and an in-school health clinic), Thistletown CI (three SHSMs and a gifted program) and West Humber CI (enriched MST and a drumline). The order is my judgement, not an official ranking. Confirm boundaries with the board’s locator.
How I chose these five
North Etobicoke, from Rexdale up to Humberwood, is where many of my buyers look for detached and semi-detached houses within reach of good school options. I chose these five because each one gives families something specific, using the boards’ own school pages for every detail.
- Distinct programs: SHSM majors, enriched math, science and technology streams, gifted programming, arts and robotics.
- Everyday practicality: shared facilities, on-site supports such as social workers, child and youth workers and health services, and child care in the building.
- A mix of boards and ages: two elementary schools (one public, one Catholic) and three public secondary schools.
The order is my judgement, not an official ranking. Attendance areas decide which public school your child can attend, so always check your exact address with the TDSB or TCDSB locator before you buy or sign a lease.
1. Humberwood Downs Junior Middle Academy
What it offers
Humberwood Downs is a TDSB JK to Grade 8 school inside the Humberwood Centre, a shared building the school describes as “292,000 square feet of learning for students, staff, and parents.” Partners in the centre include Holy Child Catholic School, Toronto Public Library and Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation.
The school lists single-gender classes, Unified Arts for Grades 6 to 8, a robotics team, a Grade 8 art club and English as a Second Language evenings for parents. Its FIRST Lego League team placed first in the Project Design category, and classrooms use Promethean boards, iPads and Chromebooks.
What it means for buyers and renters
Few Toronto schools put a library, a City community centre and a licensed child care centre under the same roof. For working parents in Humberwood, that can mean one drop-off for a kindergartner, an older sibling’s library visit and evening recreation programs.
The school sits at the edge of the Humber Arboretum and says its grounds are run as an extension of it, which gives students unusual access to nature for a city school.
Practical notes
- Address: 850 Humberwood Boulevard, Etobicoke, M9W 7A6
- Grades: JK to 8
- Opened: 1996, according to the school profile
- Shared with Holy Child: schoolyard, gymnasiums, resource centre, unified arts, music and science lab
2. Holy Child Catholic School
What it offers
Holy Child is the TCDSB elementary school in the same Humberwood Centre, so Catholic families get the same shared facilities as their public-school neighbours. The school lists modified and enriched programs, social skills groups, science and technology fairs, math competitions, choir and music festivals.
Athletics include house leagues, volleyball, basketball, cross-country, track and field, and softball. Leadership options include peer mediation, student council and environmental work with the Humber Arboretum.
What it means for buyers and renters
Holy Child opened in September 1994 with about 240 students in a wing of St. Dorothy School before moving to its permanent home at the Humberwood Centre. It has been part of the Humberwood community for more than three decades.
The school also describes a Religious Education Program that supports sacramental and spiritual development, along with concerts, a young authors program and a living rosary.
For households split between boards, having both elementary schools in one building is a real convenience. The City’s listing for the Macaulay–Humberwood Child Care Centre in the building shows walking escorts to both Holy Child and Humberwood Downs.
Practical notes
- Address: 850 Humberwood Boulevard, Etobicoke, M9W 7A6
- Phone: 416-393-5433
- Mission: “In God’s Image: Growing in Knowledge, with Justice and Hope.”
3. North Albion Collegiate Institute
What it offers
North Albion CI is a TDSB Grade 9 to 12 school with a business Specialist High Skills Major for Grades 11 and 12. The school says it was the first business SHSM in its TDSB learning network.
Its STEM@NACI program combines math, science and technology, with Grade 9 and 10 science and technology classes taken together. The school also lists dual credits with colleges and universities, the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program, and dance, drama, music and visual arts at every grade.
What it means for buyers and renters
The school describes itself as the only TDSB high school with a fully functional health clinic inside the building. Facilities include automotive and construction shops and robotics, technology and science labs, and the robotics team has competed provincially and internationally.
North Albion was established in 1962, and students speak more than 50 languages. For families who want a hands-on, career-connected high school, it is one of the strongest program lists in the area.
Athletics run in the fall, winter and spring, and the school says its teams regularly reach city and provincial championships.
Practical notes
- Address: 2580 Kipling Avenue, Etobicoke, M9V 3B2
- Grades: 9 to 12
- Phone: 416-394-7550
4. Thistletown Collegiate Institute
What it offers
Thistletown CI stands out for the breadth of its SHSM options. The school lists three: Hospitality and Tourism (food), Arts and Culture (dance, drama, music and visual arts) and Information and Communication Technology (robotics).
It also runs a Gifted and Enriched Program, e-learning, continuous-intake co-op and a dual-credit partnership with Humber College. Facilities include an industrial kitchen, technology shops, a broadcasting studio, a full-service auto shop and a hairstyling and cosmetology space.
What it means for buyers and renters
The school reports that its most recent graduating class had 124 students and that nearly three-quarters went on to university. Its Environmental Club earned ECO Schools Platinum status.
A smaller school with a gifted program and specialist majors can suit students who want attention and options at once. The school also lists social workers, counsellors, a public health nurse and a special education consultant.
On the athletic side, recent honours include West Division championships in boys’ hockey and senior girls’ basketball. Business, computer and technology courses and literacy and numeracy initiatives round out the program.
Practical notes
- Address: 20 Fordwich Crescent, Etobicoke, M9W 2T4
- Grades: 9 to 12
- Phone: 416-394-7710
5. West Humber Collegiate Institute
What it offers
West Humber CI offers regular courses plus an enriched Math, Science and Technology (MST) program that covers the curriculum at a faster pace to leave time for deeper learning. Arts options include visual and media arts, photography, drama, dance and music.
The school runs a three-level Leadership Certificate Program, with Grade 9 leadership at Albion Hills and Grade 10 at Camp Manitou. It describes “one of the few Drumline programs in the TDSB,” an award-winning steel band and a Motown-jazz band.
What it means for buyers and renters
West Humber is a composite school with a uniform. It partners with Pathways to Education, the First Generation Project with Humber College and Newcomer Services for Youth, and has an on-site child and youth worker. Its mission statement is simply “WE CARE.”
Math and science classes use SMART boards, business and technology classrooms are computer-equipped, and athletic teams have competed at City and Ontario championships.
For families in the Martin Grove and Humber College area, it is a strong option for a student who wants enriched STEM alongside a big music program.
Practical notes
- Address: 1675 Martin Grove Road, Etobicoke, M9V 3S3
- Grades: 9 to 12
- Phone: 416-394-7570
The five at a glance
| School | Board | Grades | Stand-out programs | Address |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Humberwood Downs JMA | TDSB | JK to 8 | Unified Arts, robotics, shared Humberwood Centre | 850 Humberwood Blvd |
| Holy Child Catholic School | TCDSB | Elementary | Enrichment, science fairs, arboretum partnership | 850 Humberwood Blvd |
| North Albion CI | TDSB | 9 to 12 | Business SHSM, STEM@NACI, on-site health clinic | 2580 Kipling Ave |
| Thistletown CI | TDSB | 9 to 12 | Three SHSMs, gifted program, Humber dual credit | 20 Fordwich Cres |
| West Humber CI | TDSB | 9 to 12 | Enriched MST, drumline, steel band | 1675 Martin Grove Rd |
What this means if you’re buying or selling in North Etobicoke
In the public system, the school your child attends is tied to your address. TDSB’s find-your-school tool shows the schools that serve a residential address for regular programs, so run every listing through it before you fall for a house. Specialized programs can have separate entry rules.
The same TDSB page notes that a short list of secondary schools accept regular-program students regardless of where they live, through a process held in January. Outside those exceptions, the address is what counts, so I check it before a buyer writes an offer.
Humberwood is the clearest example of a school-driven micro-market. Homes within walking distance of the Humberwood Centre give families two elementary boards, a library, a community centre and child care in one building, and I see buyers pay attention to that. The Humberwood library branch in the centre is open until 8:30 p.m. Monday to Thursday, with free parking in the centre’s lot.
Catholic families have more flexibility at the secondary level. TCDSB says its high schools accept applications from students across the city, and Father Henry Carr on Martin Grove Road is the nearby Catholic option.
If you are selling in Rexdale or Humberwood, mention the specific schools and programs in your listing, along with the board each belongs to. Families searching this area are often comparing SHSMs and enriched streams, not just distances.
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Frequently asked questions
What schools are in the Humberwood Centre?
The Humberwood Centre at 850 Humberwood Boulevard houses Humberwood Downs Junior Middle Academy (TDSB, JK to 8) and Holy Child Catholic School (TCDSB). TDSB lists Toronto Public Library and Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation as partners in the centre, and the Macaulay child care centre also operates there.
Which high schools serve Rexdale?
Public secondary schools in the area include North Albion CI at 2580 Kipling Avenue, Thistletown CI at 20 Fordwich Crescent and West Humber CI at 1675 Martin Grove Road, all Grade 9 to 12. Your designated school depends on your address, so use TDSB’s find-your-school tool.
Which North Etobicoke high school has a gifted program?
Thistletown Collegiate Institute lists a Gifted and Enriched Program on its TDSB profile, along with three Specialist High Skills Majors and a dual-credit partnership with Humber College. West Humber CI offers an enriched Math, Science and Technology program, and North Albion runs STEM@NACI. Ask each school how students enter these streams.
Does North Albion Collegiate have a health clinic?
Yes. North Albion’s TDSB profile describes it as the only TDSB high school with a fully functional health clinic inside the building. The school also offers a business SHSM, the STEM@NACI program, dual credits and the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program.
How do I find which TDSB school serves my North Etobicoke address?
Use TDSB’s Find Your School by Address tool and enter the street number and name. It lists the schools that serve that address for regular programs. Specialized programs have their own entry rules, so check with the school as well.
Is there child care at Humberwood Downs and Holy Child?
Yes. The City of Toronto lists the Macaulay–Humberwood Child Care Centre at 850 Humberwood Boulevard, located in the Humberwood Downs and Holy Child building. It serves children from 18 months to 12 years and participates in the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care system.
Sources
- Humberwood Downs Junior Middle Academy school profile — Toronto District School Board
- Holy Child Catholic School: About Us — TCDSB
- North Albion Collegiate Institute school profile — Toronto District School Board
- Thistletown Collegiate Institute school profile — Toronto District School Board
- West Humber Collegiate Institute school profile — Toronto District School Board
- Find Your School By Address — Toronto District School Board
- Macaulay – Humberwood Child Care Centre — City of Toronto
- Secondary School Registration Opens September 25 — TCDSB
Related reading
- Top 5 Schools in Richmond Hill (2026)
- Top 5 Schools in Burlington (2026)
- Top 5 Schools in Milton (2026)
- Top 5 Schools in Etobicoke
About the author — Jatin Dua, Toronto and GTA real estate broker
I am Jatin Dua, Broker of Record and co-founder of RE/MAX Quantum Realty Inc., Brokerage, Unit 101, 799 The Queensway, Toronto. I work with buyers and sellers across Toronto and the GTA and have helped more than 100 families sell. Four-plus years of active GTA transactions and over $100 million in sales volume. Every figure here comes from a published table, regulator or statute linked in the sources, so you can check all of it without asking me.
Reach me at [email protected] or 833-330-1925, or book a call.